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EFI evaluator seeking quality investor information

Written on 24 Jun, 2008 in Uncovered SLO | 6 comments

By DANIEL BLACKBURN and KAREN VELIE A Fresno attorney appointed earlier this month to widen the examination of troubled lender Estate Financial Inc. (EFI) is enlisting the help of UncoveredSLO.com’s readers. Independent evaluator Hanno Powell, an attorney with the firm of Powell... (Continue reading)

Federal attention aims at lending fraud

Written on 20 Jun, 2008 in Uncovered SLO | 14 comments

A federal investigative task force looking into mortgage fraud and related offenses in a seven-county region including San Luis Obispo County will utilize at least 40 FBI agents and investigators from nine other U.S. agencies. Dubbed SCAM (for Southern California Mortgage),... (Continue reading)

Ill man tossed under wheels of county justice

Written on 19 Jun, 2008 in Uncovered SLO | 9 comments

By KAREN VELIE Les Harvey’s nightmare encounter with “the system” started with a hamburger. Outside a McDonald’s in Arroyo Grande, Harvey, 64 and terminally ill, sat in his parked van and started to eat his dinner, the burger he had just purchased... (Continue reading)

COMMENTARY: Try not to irritate Lon Allan

Written on 17 Jun, 2008 in Uncovered SLO | 12 comments

By DANIEL BLACKBURN I have a recurring dream in which the local media crowd works in concert to slay the dragons of government corruption and to cultivate an environment of informed citizens. And then I open my eyes, and my... (Continue reading)

Paso merchants lost big on Memorial Weekend

Written on 16 Jun, 2008 in Uncovered SLO | 4 comments

By DANIEL BLACKBURN Angry Paso Robles downtown merchants are reacting to what many are calling a Memorial Weekend financial disaster triggered by city officials responsible for the sudden departure of one of the nation’s largest car shows. Local business owners are reporting... (Continue reading)

Estate Financial evaluator appointed

Written on 16 Jun, 2008 in Uncovered SLO | 32 comments

San Luis Obispo Superior Court Judge Barry T. LaBarbera Monday initiated a complete evaluation of the books of Estate Financial Inc. (EFI) mortgage fund. LaBarbera appointed Hanno Powell -- an attorney from Fresno experienced in receiverships -- to look into EFI’s... (Continue reading)

Just the facts, ma’am

Written on 10 Jun, 2008 in Uncovered SLO | 4 comments

By THE EDITORS A Cal Poly official took to the airways Monday to dispute portions of an UncoveredSLO.com article posted last week. Amy Hewes, director of publications and communications for the College of Engineering, argued on Dave Congalton’s 920KVEC Hometown Radio show... (Continue reading)

UncoveredSLO.com is your watchdog

Written on 10 Jun, 2008 in Uncovered SLO | No comments

Do you enjoy reading UncoveredSLO.com’s in-depth reporting? Do you like the media watchdog function we provide and reader commentaries that follow? Now is your chance to help us continue. Support us today. We thank the many people who have contributed to... (Continue reading)

State regulators cancel EFI sales permits

Written on 9 Jun, 2008 in Uncovered SLO | 42 comments

By KAREN VELIE Estate Financial Corp. (EFI) of Paso Robles can no longer solicit nor accept investor money because the troubled lender’s state permit to do so has been revoked. Specifically, regulators from the California Department of Corporations (DOC) have stopped the... (Continue reading)

Mussel inspection method lacking?

Written on 6 Jun, 2008 in Uncovered SLO | 2 comments

By KAREN VELIE A tiny, invasive bivalve and a statewide drought of increasing severity are on a collision course in San Luis Obispo County. Hoping to prevent an infestation of the Quagga mussel into local waters, the county Parks and Recreation Department... (Continue reading)